Abstract: The seriously damaged structures during earthquakes
show the need and importance of design of reinforced concrete
structures with high ductility. Reinforced concrete beam-column
joints have an important function in all structures. Under seismic
excitation, the beam column joint region is subjected to horizontal
and vertical shear forces whose magnitude is many times higher than
the adjacent beam and column. Strength and ductility of structures
depends mainly on proper detailing of the reinforcement in beamcolumn
joints and the old structures were found ductility deficient.
DSP materials are obtained by using high quantities of super
plasticizers and high volumes of micro silica. In the case of High
Performance Densified Small Particle Concrete (HPDSPC), since
concrete is dense even at the micro-structure level, tensile strain
would be much higher than that of the conventional SFRC, SIFCON
& SIMCON. This in turn will improve cracking behaviour, ductility
and energy absorption capacity of composites in addition to
durability. The fine fibers used in our mix are 0.3mm diameter and 10
mm which can be easily placed with high percentage. These fibers
easily transfer stresses and act as a composite concrete unit to take up
extremely high loads with high compressive strength. HPDSPC
placed in the beam column joints helps in safety of human life due to
prolonged failure.
Abstract: A teeming set of doctors that graduated from various
universities within and outside Nigeria with the hope of practicing in
the country, has their hope shattered because of poor financing, lack
of medical equipments and a very weak healthcare systems. Such
hydra headed challenges, allows room for quackery which
increasingly contributes to the cause of mortality in Nigeria. With a
view of reversing the challenges of healthcare delivery and financing
in Nigeria, African Health Market for Equity (AHME), a project
funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation [With contribution
from Department For International Development (DFID)] and
currently implemented in three African Countries (Nigeria, Kenya
and Ghana) over a Five (5) year period supports the healthcare sector
via Medical credit fund (MCF). The study examines the impact of
credit policy and medical credit funding on Nigerian health market.
Ordinary least square analysis, correlation and granger causality tests
were employed to measure the extent to which the Nigerian
healthcare market has been influenced. Medical credit fund
significantly and positively influenced average monthly turnover of
private healthcare providers and Commercial bank’s lending rate had
a weak relationship with access to credit/approved loans (13.46%).
The programme has so far made 13.91% progress, which is very
poor, considering the minimum targeted private health care providers
(437.6) and expected number of loan approvals (180.4) for the two
years. Medical credit policy in Nigeria should be revised to include
private healthcare providers in rural area for more positive impact
and increased returns. Good brand advert and sensitization of the
programme to stakeholders and health pressure group, and an
extension of the programme beyond five years is necessary to better
address the issues raised in the study.
Abstract: In this paper, a spatial multiple-kernel fuzzy C-means (SMKFCM) algorithm is introduced for segmentation problem. A linear combination of multiples kernels with spatial information is used in the kernel FCM (KFCM) and the updating rules for the linear coefficients of the composite kernels are derived as well. Fuzzy cmeans (FCM) based techniques have been widely used in medical image segmentation problem due to their simplicity and fast convergence. The proposed SMKFCM algorithm provides us a new flexible vehicle to fuse different pixel information in medical image segmentation and detection of MR images. To evaluate the robustness of the proposed segmentation algorithm in noisy environment, we add noise in medical brain tumor MR images and calculated the success rate and segmentation accuracy. From the experimental results it is clear that the proposed algorithm has better performance than those of other FCM based techniques for noisy medical MR images.
Abstract: Second generation military Filipino Amerasians
comprise a formidable contemporary segment of the estimated
250,000-plus biracial Amerasians in the Philippines today. Overall,
they are a stigmatized and socioeconomically marginalized diaspora;
historically, they were abandoned or estranged by U.S. military
personnel fathers assigned during the century-long Colonial, Post-
World War II and Cold War Era of permanent military basing (1898-
1992). Indeed, U.S. military personnel are assigned in smaller
numbers in the Philippines today. This inquiry is an outgrowth of two
recent small sample studies. The first surfaced the impact of the U.S.
military prostitution system on formation of the ‘Derivative
Amerasian Family Construct’ on first generation Amerasians; a
second, qualitative case study suggested the continued effect of the
prostitution systems' destructive impetuous on second generation
Amerasians. The intent of this current qualitative, multiple-case study
was to actively seek out second generation sex industry toilers. The
purpose was to focus further on this human phenomenon in the postbasing
and post-military prostitution system eras. As background, the
former military prostitution apparatus has transformed into a modern
dynamic of rampant sex tourism and prostitution nationwide. This is
characterized by hotel and resorts offering unrestricted carnal access,
urban and provincial brothels (casas), discos, bars and pickup clubs,
massage parlors, local barrio karaoke bars and street prostitution. A
small case study sample (N = 4) of female and male second
generation Amerasians were selected. Sample formation employed a
non-probability ‘snowball’ technique drawing respondents from the
notorious Angeles, Metro Manila, Olongapo City ‘AMO Amerasian
Triangle’ where most former U.S. military installations were sited
and modern sex tourism thrives. A six-month study and analysis of
in-depth interviews of female and male sex laborers, their families
and peers revealed a litany of disturbing, and troublesome
experiences. Results showed profiles of debilitating human poverty,
history of family disorganization, stigmatization, social
marginalization and the ghost of the military prostitution system and
its harmful legacy on Amerasian family units. Emerging were testimonials of wayward young people ensnared in a maelstrom of
deep economic deprivation, familial dysfunction, psychological
desperation and societal indifference. The paper recommends that
more study is needed and implications of unstudied psychosocial and
socioeconomic experiences of distressed younger generations of
military Amerasians require specific research. Heretofore apathetic or
disengaged U.S. institutions need to confront the issue and formulate
activist and solution-oriented social welfare, human services and
immigration easement policies and alternatives. These institutions
specifically include academic and social science research agencies,
corporate foundations, the U.S. Congress, and Departments of State,
Defense and Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security
(i.e. Citizen and Immigration Services) It is them who continue to
endorse a laissez-faire policy of non-involvement over the entire
Filipino Amerasian question. Such apathy, the paper concludes,
relegates this consequential but neglected blood progeny to the status
of humiliating destitution and exploitation. Amerasians; thus, remain
entrapped in their former colonial, and neo-colonial habitat.
Ironically, they are unwitting victims of a U.S. American homeland
that fancies itself geo-politically as a strong and strategic military
treaty ally of the Philippines in the Western Pacific.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the
photocatalytic activity of polycrystalline phases of bismuth tungstate
of formula Bi2WO6. Polycrystalline samples were elaborated using a
coprecipitation technique followed by a calcination process at
different temperatures (300, 400, 600 and 900°C). The obtained
polycrystalline phases have been characterized by X-ray diffraction
(XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission
electron microscopy (TEM). Crystal cell parameters and cell volume
depend on elaboration temperature. High-resolution electron
microscopy images and image simulations, associated with X-ray
diffraction data, allowed confirming the lattices and space groups
Pca21. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared samples was
studied by irradiating aqueous solutions of Rhodamine B, associated
with Bi2WO6 additives having variable crystallite sizes. The
photocatalytic activity of such bismuth tungstates increased as the
crystallite sizes decreased. The high specific area of the
photocatalytic particles obtained at 300°C seems to condition the
degradation kinetics of RhB.
Abstract: In this paper, temperature extremes are forecast by
employing the block maxima method of the Generalized extreme
value(GEV) distribution to analyse temperature data from the
Cameroon Development Corporation (C.D.C). By considering two sets
of data (Raw data and simulated data) and two (stationary and
non-stationary) models of the GEV distribution, return levels analysis
is carried out and it was found that in the stationary model, the
return values are constant over time with the raw data while in the
simulated data, the return values show an increasing trend but with
an upper bound. In the non-stationary model, the return levels of
both the raw data and simulated data show an increasing trend but
with an upper bound. This clearly shows that temperatures in the
tropics even-though show a sign of increasing in the future, there
is a maximum temperature at which there is no exceedence. The
results of this paper are very vital in Agricultural and Environmental
research.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects and
relationship of stress and social support towards the quality of life
among flood victims in Malaysia. A total of 764 respondents took
part in the survey via convenience sampling. The Depression,
Anxiety and Stress scale (DASS) was utilized to measure stress while
The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support was used to
measure social support. To measure quality of life, the combination
of WHO Quality of Life – BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and The Impact
of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R) were utilized. The findings of this
study indicate that there were significant correlations between
variables in the study. The findings showed a significant negative
relation between stress and quality of life; and significant positive
correlations between support from family as well as support from
friends with quality of life. Stress and support from family were
found to be significant predictors that influence the quality of life
among flood victims.
Abstract: Review of studies carried out on the use of bagasse
ash for the improvement of deficient soils in Nigeria, with emphasis
on lateritic and black cotton soils is presented. Although, the bagasse
ash is mostly used as additive to the conventional soil stabilizers
(cement and lime), the studies generally showed improvement in the
geotechnical properties of the soils, either modified or stabilized with
the ash. This showed the potentials of using this agricultural waste
(bagasse ash) in the improvement of geotechnical properties of
deficient soils, thus suggesting that using this material at large scale
level in geotechnical engineering practice could help in the provision
of stable and durable structures, reduce cost of soil improvement and
also reduces environmental nuisance caused by the unused waste in
Nigeria.
Abstract: Due to the interference effects, the intrinsic
aerodynamic parameters obtained from the individual component
testing are always fundamentally different than those obtained for
complete model testing. Consideration and limitation for such testing
need to be taken into account in any design work related to the
component buildup method. In this paper, the scaled model of a
straight rectangular canard of a hybrid buoyant aircraft is tested at 50
m/s in IIUM-LSWT (Low Speed Wind Tunnel). Model and its
attachment with the balance are kept rigid to have results free from
the aeroelastic distortion. Based on the velocity profile of the test
section’s floor; the height of the model is kept equal to the
corresponding boundary layer displacement. Balance measurements
provide valuable but limited information of overall aerodynamic
behavior of the model. Zero lift coefficient is obtained at -2.2o and
the corresponding drag coefficient was found to be less than that at
zero angle of attack. As a part of the validation of low fidelity tool,
plot of lift coefficient plot was verified by the experimental data and
except the value of zero lift coefficients, the overall trend has under
predicted the lift coefficient. Based on this comparative study, a
correction factor of 1.36 is proposed for lift curve slope obtained
from the panel method.
Abstract: Multiphase Induction Machine (IM) is normally
controlled using rotor field oriented vector control. Under phase(s)
loss, the machine currents can be optimally controlled to satisfy
certain optimization criteria. In this paper we discuss the performance
of double manifold sliding mode observer (DM-SMO) in Sensorless
control of multiphase induction machine under unsymmetrical
condition (one phase loss). This observer is developed using the IM
model in the stationary reference frame. DM-SMO is constructed by
adding extra feedback term to conventional single mode sliding mode
observer (SM-SMO) which proposed in many literature. This leads to
a fully convergent observer that also yields an accurate estimate of
the speed and stator currents. It will be shown by the simulation
results that the estimated speed and currents by the method are very
well and error between real and estimated quantities is negligible.
Also parameter sensitivity analysis shows that this method is rather
robust against parameter variation.
Abstract: Networked environments which provide platforms for
business organizations are configured in different forms depending
on many factors including life time, member characteristics,
communication structure, and business objectives, among others.
With continuing advances in digital technologies the distance has
become a less barrier for business minded collaboration among
organizations. With the need and ease to make business collaborate
nowadays organizations are sometimes forced to co-work with others
that are either unknown or less known to them in terms of history and
performance. A promising approach for sustaining established
collaboration has been establishment of trust relationship among
organizations based on assessed trustworthiness for each participating
organization. It has been stated in research that trust in organization is
dynamic and thus assessment of trust level must address such
dynamic nature. This paper assesses relevant aspects of trust and
applies the assessed concepts to propose a semi-automated system for
the management of Sustainability and Evolution of trust in
organizations participating in specific objective in a networked
organizations environment.
Abstract: To decrease the grating scale thermal expansion error,
a novel method which based on multiple temperature detection is
proposed. Several temperature sensors are installed on the grating
scale and the temperatures of these sensors are recorded. The
temperatures of every point on the grating scale are calculated by
interpolating between adjacent sensors. According to the thermal
expansion principle, the grating scale thermal expansion error model
can be established by doing the integral for the variations of position
and temperature. A novel compensation method is proposed in this
paper. By applying the established error model, the grating scale
thermal expansion error is decreased by 90% compared with no
compensation. The residual positioning error of the grating scale is
less than 15μm/10m and the accuracy of the machine tool is
significant improved.
Abstract: Wire Electric Discharge Machining (WEDM) is
thermal machining process capable of machining very hard
electrically conductive material irrespective of their hardness.
WEDM is being widely used to machine micro scale parts with the
high dimensional accuracy and surface finish. The objective of this
paper is to optimize the process parameters of wire EDM to fabricate
the micro channels and to calculate the surface finish and material
removal rate of micro channels fabricated using wire EDM. The
material used is aluminum 6061 alloy. The experiments were
performed using CNC wire cut electric discharge machine. The effect
of various parameters of WEDM like pulse on time (TON) with the
levels (100, 150, 200), pulse off time (TOFF) with the levels (25, 35,
45) and current (IP) with the levels (105, 110, 115) were investigated
to study the effect on output parameter i.e. Surface Roughness and
Material Removal Rate (MRR). Each experiment was conducted
under different conditions of pulse on time, pulse off time and peak
current. For material removal rate, TON and Ip
were the most significant process parameter. MRR increases with the increase in
TON and Ip and decreases with the increase in TOFF. For surface
roughness, TON and Ip have the maximum effect and TOFF was found
out to be less effective.
Abstract: In internet of things (IoT) system, the communication
scheme with reliability and low power is required to connect a
terminal. Cooperative communication can achieve reliability and
lower power than multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system.
Cooperative communication increases the reliability with low
power, but decreases a throughput. It has a weak point that the
communication throughput is decreased. In this paper, a novel scheme
is proposed to increase the communication throughput. The novel
scheme is a transmission structure that increases transmission rate.
A decoding scheme according to the novel transmission structure is
proposed. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme increases
the throughput without bit error rate (BER) performance degradation.
Abstract: This paper presents an analytical approach for
evaluating distribution system reliability indices in the presence of
distributed generation. Modeling distributed generation and
evaluation of distribution system reliability indices using the
frequency duration technique. Using model implements and case
studies are discussed. Results showed that location of DG and its
effect in distribution reliability indices. In this respect, impact of DG
on distribution system is investigated using the IEEE Roy Billinton
test system (RBTS2) included feeder 1. Therefore, it will help to the
distribution system planners in the DG resource placement.
Abstract: In this paper, synchronization of multiple chaotic
semiconductor lasers is achieved by appealing to complex system
theory. In particular, we consider dynamical networks composed by
semiconductor laser, as interconnected nodes, where the interaction
in the networks are defined by coupling the first state of each node.
An interest case is synchronized with master-slave configuration in
star topology. Nodes of these networks are modeled for the laser and
simulate by Matlab. These results are applicable to private
communication.
Abstract: This paper suggests a new internal architecture of
holon based on feature selection model using the combination of
Bees Algorithm (BA) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). BA is
used to generate features while ANN is used as a classifier to
evaluate the produced features. Proposed system is applied on the
Wine dataset, the statistical result proves that the proposed system is
effective and has the ability to choose informative features with high
accuracy.
Abstract: Malaysia’s green building development is gaining
momentum and green buildings have become a key focus area,
especially within the commercial sector with the encouragement of
government legislation and policy. Due to the emerging awareness
among the market players’ views of the benefits associated with the
ownership of green buildings in Malaysia, there is a need for valuers
to incorporate consideration of sustainability into their assessments of
property market value to ensure the green buildings continue to
increase in the market. This paper analyses the valuers’ current
perception on the valuation practices with regard to the green issues
in Malaysia. The study was based on a survey of registered real estate
valuers and the experts whose work related to valuation in the Klang
Valley area to rate their view regarding the perception on valuation of
green building. The findings present evidence that even though
Malaysian valuers have limited knowledge of green buildings, they
recognise the importance of incorporating the green features in the
valuation process. The inclusion of incorporating the green features
in valuations in practice was hindered by the inadequacy of sufficient
transaction data in the market. Furthermore, valuers experienced
difficulty in identifying what are the various input parameters of
green building and how to adjust it in order to reflect the benefit of
sustainability features correctly in the valuation process. This paper
focuses on the present challenges confronted by Malaysian valuers
with regards to incorporating the green features in their valuation.
Abstract: Milk is considered as an essential and complete food.
The present study was conducted at Milk Plant Mohali especially in
reference to the procurement section where the cash inflow was
maximum, with the objective to achieve higher productivity and
reduce wastage of milk. In milk plant it was observed that during the
month of Jan-2014 to March-2014 the average procurement of milk
was Rs. 4, 19, 361 liter per month and cost of procurement of milk is
Rs 35/- per liter. The total cost of procurement thereby equal to Rs.
1crore 46 lakh per month, but there was mismatch in procurementproduction
of milk, which leads to an average loss of Rs. 12, 94, 405
per month. To solve the procurement-production problem Quality
Control Tools like brainstorming, Flow Chart, Cause effect diagram
and Pareto analysis are applied wherever applicable. With the
successful implementation of Quality Control tools an average saving
of Rs. 4, 59, 445 per month is done.
Abstract: This paper presents the interface ConductHome which
controls home automation systems with a Leap Motion using
“invariant gesture protocols”. This interface is meant to simplify the
interaction of the user with its environment. A hardware part allows
the Leap Motion to be carried around the house. A software part
interacts with the home automation box and displays the useful
information for the user. An objective of this work is the
development of a natural/invariant/simple gesture control interface to
help elder people/people with disabilities.